E-mail, Feeds, 'n' Stuff

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Say it loud

The supporters of John Ludlow for Clackistan County chair have got to be taking a deep inhale. Think of how gratifying it is going to be for them to say no to all of these birds:

Since Ludlow forced Lehan into a run-off in the May Primary Election, Lehan has received contributions from Multnomah County Chair Jeff Cogen, former Multnomah County Commissioner Lisa Naito, Metro President Tom Hughes, Metro Councilor Carlotta Collette, Metro Councilor-elect Bob Stacey, Clackamas County Commissioner-elect Martha Schrader, Washington County Commissioner Dick Schouten and Portland City Commissioner Dan Saltzman. Ludlow has only received a contribution from Damascus Mayor Steve Spinnett.

Comments (14)

But thanks for convincing me that Tom Hughes needs to go. Now. What a major disappointment for what should have actually been a good thing for Metro to listen to the suburbs. He is just another sucker.

South Corridor Policy Committee members step up to face future transportation needs
Metro news release – Feb. 14, 2003The South Corridor Policy Committee has unanimously recommended construction of two phases of light rail as the preferred major transit investments in the southeastern portion of the region.
Metro Councilor Brian Newman, who chairs the committee, supported the recommendation. "Light rail was being selected over other options considered after analysis showed that it would have the highest number of riders, the fastest travel times, the best connections to neighborhoods and centers as well as strong public support," he said.

"The light rail alternatives in this corridor can cost between $350 to $400 million dollars."
"The bus rapid transit projects in this corridor cost between $65 and $70 million dollars."
"The busway option is designed to try and give some of the benefits that can be obtained from a light rail line at less costs then light rail."

They ruled out everything but light rail.
Here is how they perpetrated the pretense of public involvement, concocted "strong public support" and avoided a public vote.

"The South Corridor Policy Group has initiated a more grass roots public involvement process for this project then they have had in the past.... This was set up in response to the citizen's request."

Rail Vote, it takes a while to go through your posts and summarize it.

I basically get that after citizens voted in 1998 to turn down lightrail into Clackamas, all 8 government officials on one committee (JPAC)contrived to ignore the vote by claiming there was a "public's request" to build lightrail into Clackamas. Then to bolster there claim, they say a "grass roots" effort propelled them on to where we are today with concrete towers in the middle of the Willamette and trees being cut down.

I sure hope they can recognize the "grass roots" effort that is being demonstrated by the lightrail vote 3-401. Maybe those 8 JPACT public officials will view a county wide vote as not a "grass root" effort and nullify the vote, since their deductive thinking is so clear.

We need a STATE Constitutional Amendment that guarantees that ANY rail project must have votes:

1. Public vote to authorize the project,

2. Vote by any district that will be taxed to pay for the district,

3. A separate statewide vote, if any statewide funds (i.e. ODOT) funds are used for the project.

That means for any rail project it must pass not once, not twice, but THREE times, for it to be authorized and funded - UNLESS a local district is willing to fund it all by itself, then it requires only two votes.

And for good measure, let's make them supermajority votes, AND such measures are ONLY allowed in general elections where either a President or a Governor is elected.

Better yet we have right now the opportunity to turn Clackamas County over to the hands of those in favor of full independent forensic auditing and performance assessment style management that will greatly impact the Regional Partner Racket's ability to perpetrate any more of the status quo.

Furthermore Clackamas County, under new leadership will quickly demonstrate a far better approach to land use, transportation, public expenditure and genuine progress.
The last thing the pay to play, crony capitalist, planning racket wants to be humiliated by anything other than their unwanted plans.

It's very simple.

A Ludlow, Tootie and Savas majority will free Clackamas County from the shackles of the private Regional Players Club and remnants of the Goldschmidt mafia.